First aid workshop teaches students to be prepared for emergencies

"There is no substitute for hands on first aid training," said Dr. Ganaraj Bhaskar, General Practitioner at Medcare Hospital. "Having knowledge of basic skills will help you to reach out to someone and quite possibly save their life. This is what we emphasised to the students."

Dr. Bhaskar and Lara El Khoury of Medcare Hospital spoke to a group of 200 students from Dubai Scholars on how to react in case of abdominal pain, allergic reaction, asthma, stings from bees or wasps, injuries and fever. In severe cases such as choking, hand injuries, fractures and burns, the team demonstrated different techniques of providing care.

Dr. Bhaskar said, "All of us need to know basic first aid skills so we can reach out to another. First aid is immediate help provided to a sick or injured person and sometimes consists of procedures and techniques requiring minimal or no equipment."

He added, "Basic first aid is concerned not only with the care of wounds or injuries, but with care of the whole person, including psychosocial first aid assistance."

Thelma Miranda, Principal at Dubai Scholars said, "Basic practical life skills will not only benefit our students but also the community at large. We hope such important life skills can go a long way in saving lives when needed. "

Children at the workshop were enthusiastic and questions were flowing in after it was over. All students attending the workshop were given first aid kits with basic medical supplies such as gauze, bandage, antimicrobial handwipes, and hydrogen peroxide bottle for cleansing skin wounds.

A Grade ten student of Dubai Scholars said, "We found the entire session educational and informative. Accidents are not planned and can happen to anyone at anytime. Such workshops teach us to be prepared at all times."